# Backbone vs Games for iMessage Text & Chat

The clearest difference is ads: Backbone at none against Games for iMessage Text & Chat's shown. Backbone also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (103K vs 9.2K). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backbone sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Games for iMessage Text & Chat sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Backbone holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backbone has 103K ratings behind it against 9.2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Backbone's written reviews are positive against 53% of Games for iMessage Text & Chat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Backbone ships an update every 3 weeks, Games for iMessage Text & Chat monthly. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backbone | Games for iMessage Text & Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (103K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663/reviews)** | [4.4 (9.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/games-for-imessage-text-and-chat/id1506797690/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **103K** | 9.2K |
| Positive reviews | 51.3% of reviews | **53.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#79** | — |
| Size | 422 MB | 211 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Backbone Labs, Inc. (US)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449660662) | [Fad Mania, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472958220) |

## What reviewers say

### Backbone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663)

**Currently charting:** #79 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #138 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful gaming console. Play a wide range of games and services, record and share epic gameplay moments, and connect with friends for seamless multiplayer experiences. Discover and launch your favorite controller-supported games from a single app.

**Highlights:** Play any game or service supporting controllers, Record, edit, and share gameplay clips, Automatic highlight detection, Friend notifications and in-app voice chat, Centralized game launcher

**Features:** Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great gaming experience
- 👍 Seamless integration with app
- 🎮 Feels like a dedicated gaming device
- 💡 Turns phone into a portable console
- 🎨 Sleek and premium design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Locked features behind paywall
- 🔌 Requires removing phone case
- 🎮 Ergonomics not ideal for all games
- 🐛 Connectivity issues and bugs

**Reported bugs**

- Random disconnections during gameplay
- App crashes and freezes
- Issues with controller button mapping
- Incompatibility with certain games

**Requested features**

- Allow use without subscription
- Add more customization options
- Improve compatibility with various phone models
- Integrate with more cloud gaming services


### Games for iMessage Text & Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/games-for-imessage-text-and-chat/id1506797690)

Discover and play social games directly within your messaging app. Connect with friends or new people through a group chat finder and enjoy a variety of interactive games. Offers a free experience with optional premium features.

**Highlights:** Social games for iMessage, Group chat finder, Over 15 exciting games, Bowling, Skeeball, Cup Pong, Connect and challenge friends, Premium features available

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GameWave Gold | $3.99 | per 7 days |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun games
- 👍 Great for group interaction
- 🚀 Unique game play

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and buggy
- 🐛 Laggy performance
- 🐛 Synchronization issues
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with sharing phone numbers
- 🔋 Drains battery

**Reported bugs**

- Games freezing or not loading properly
- Forfeiting games even after winning
- Inability to create account or log in
- Glitches with specific games like Solitaire, Skee Ball

**Requested features**

- Add more game options like Connect 4, Uno, darts, racing games
- Improve game instructions and rules
- Allow playing with friends without sharing phone numbers
- Add dark mode
- Improve avatar customization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backbone free?

Backbone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Games for iMessage Text & Chat free?

Games for iMessage Text & Chat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Backbone or Games for iMessage Text & Chat?

Backbone is rated higher. Backbone averages 4.8 out of 5 from 103K ratings, while Games for iMessage Text & Chat averages 4.4 from 9.2K ratings.

### Do Backbone or Games for iMessage Text & Chat have ads?

Games for iMessage Text & Chat shows ads; Backbone does not.

### Which is updated more often, Backbone or Games for iMessage Text & Chat?

Backbone ships an update every 3 weeks, and Games for iMessage Text & Chat monthly. Most recently, Backbone was updated on November 4, 2026 and Games for iMessage Text & Chat on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*